.a BRITISH MOTHS 



obtain thorn in the perfect state, gcneraUy dying during their pupation. « Perhaps," observes Mr. Haworth, " in 

 a state of nature they perform their extraordinary metamorphoses deeper in the ground, and consequently in a 

 moistcr and more equal temperature, than most other species of Lcpidoptera ; and if so, the cause of their 

 perishing in our breeding-cages is undoubtedly owing to their having in these cages too scanty and dry a soil." I 

 have known fine specimens reared by feeding the caterpillars upon potatoes growing in i)ots in the open air, 

 plunged in the earth, and the plant covered with gauze. Many instances are recorded of the insect having been 

 captured on board ship, at a considerable distance from land. 



DESCRIPTION OF PLATE III. 



Insects. — Fig. 1. Sphinx Convolvuli (tlic convolvulus, or unicoru H:iwk-motli). 2. The Caterpillar. 3. The Chrysalis. 



" Fig. 4. Sphinx Ligustri (the privet Hawk-moth). 5. The Caterpillar. 6. The Chrysalis. 



" Fig. 7. Sphinx pinastri (tlic pine Hawk-moth). 8. The Caterpillar. 9. Tlie Chrysalis. 



PiANis. — Fig. 10. Convolvulus arvensis (the small bindweed). 



" Fig. 11. Ligustrum vulgare (the common privet). 



" Fig. 12. Abies communis (the spruce-fir). 



The insects arc all from the collection of the British Museum. The Caterpillars are from Hiibncr. H. N. H. 



SPHINX, LIXN.EUS. SPECTRUM, Scopoli. 



This genus in its restricted state comprises numerous species, distinguished by their elongate, conical bodies 

 destitute of a tuft at the extremity, the more elongated entire wings, the extreme length of the spiral tongue, the 

 long and slender antenniB, hooked at the tip, and terminated by a long and slender hairy bristle. The caterpillars 

 are large, and generally smooth, with oblique, lateral stripes, and a curved, smooth horn at the extremity of the 

 body. The pupa; arc distinguished by having the proboscis detached, and forming an arched appendage beneath 

 the breast. The transformations are undergone in the earth. 



The perfect insects are of large size, with the abdomen generally banded with diflferent colours. Several 

 species are recorded as natives of this country, on the authority of single specimens, which were in all probability 

 brought from North America, — the real habitat of the species — in the preparatory states. 



SPECIES ].— SPHINX CONVOLVULI. THE UNICORN OR CONVOLVULUS HAWK-MOTH. 



PLateiii. fig. 1—3. 



SvNoNvMEs.— .syiinx Convolvuli, Linnaeus, Donovan, Brit. Ins. vii., plates 228, 229. Haworth, Stephens, Wilkes, plates 20, 21. Harris 

 Aureliau, pi. 21, fig. a^d. Wood, Ind. Ent. pi. 4, f. 11. Duncan, Eiit. Moths, pi. 6. 



This fine species measures from four to nearly five inches in the expansion of its fore wings, which are of a 

 greyish-ashy colour, with darker clouds and with a number of slender, black, straight as well as zigzag lines 

 scattered over the surface ; the hind wings are paler, with four black bars, the two middle ones bein^ more 

 confluent together, and the outer one parallel with the hind margin of the wing. The fringe of all the winos is 

 white interrupted with brown. 



